Korg Trident (1980, 1982)

An 8-voice polyphonic synthesizer with integrated synthesizer, brass, and strings sections, released in two distinct models.

Overview

The Korg Trident is an 8-voice polyphonic synthesizer developed as a flagship instrument for professional musicians, combining a fully programmable analog synth engine with dedicated brass and strings sections in a single 61-key keyboard. Introduced in 1980 as the Mk I and updated in 1982 as the Mk II, the Trident was designed to deliver rich, layered orchestral textures and stage-ready versatility. It emerged as a direct evolution of Korg’s PS series, aiming to compete with high-end contemporaries like the Sequential Circuits Prophet-5. The instrument features a multi-sectional architecture that allows for keyboard splitting and simultaneous use of its three sound modules, making it ideal for live performance and complex arrangements.

Specifications

Manufacturer	Korg
Model	Trident
Product type	8-Voice Polyphonic Synthesizer
Production years	1980 (Mk I), 1982 (Mk II)
Original price	$4,595 USD
Polyphony	8-voice polyphonic
Voice architecture	Brass and strings operate in paraphonic mode, sharing voices for ensemble effects
Synthesizer section oscillators	Dual voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) per voice in the synthesizer section
Synthesizer section waveforms	Sawtooth, triangle, square, and pulse-width waveforms
Synthesizer section filter	Resonant low-pass filter based on the SSM 2044 chip
Envelopes	Dual ADSR envelope generators
Modulation	A modulation generator for LFO duties
Brass section	Provides a dedicated filter with cutoff, resonance, and envelope controls
Strings section	Offer attack/release envelopes, EQ shaping, and a unique 'bowing' effect to simulate bowed instrument articulation
Effects	Built-in effects such as a bucket-brigade device (BBD) flanger, ensemble chorus for strings, and joystick-controlled pitch bend and vibrato
Memory	32 programmable memories (expanded from 16 in the original Mk I) for storing patches across four banks
Keyboard	61-note keyboard spanning five octaves
Keyboard action	Standard non-velocity-sensitive key action
Keyboard splitting	Supports keyboard splitting for assigning sections to different ranges
Dimensions	Approximately 1012 mm in width, 524 mm in depth, and 52 mm in height
Weight	21 kg
Mk II filter upgrade	Upgrading to a 24 dB/octave filter
Mk II oscillator upgrade	Adding detunable oscillator banks for thicker sounds
Mk II memory	Improving memory and envelope options

Design

The Korg Trident features an innovative multi-sectional design that integrates a programmable synthesizer bank, a dedicated brass ensemble, and a string machine into a single 61-key instrument, enabling versatile sound layering and split-keyboard performance. It is housed in a robust wooden cabinet with a front panel layout emphasizing intuitive access, divided into distinct sections for Synthesizer, Brass, and Strings. Development began in late 1979 under secretive conditions and spanned over a year of intensive engineering led by Korg engineer Mr. Mori. Parallel research into sampling technology produced a four-voice prototype, but it was shelved in favor of the Trident's analog design.

Context

The Trident project emerged as a direct evolution of Korg's PS series, including the PS-3100 (1977) and PS-3300, positioning the Trident to challenge instruments like the Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 in both sound versatility and onstage efficiency. It was positioned as Korg's flagship instrument, aimed at professional musicians, and entered a competitive landscape alongside other high-end polysynths of the early 1980s.

Reception

The Korg Trident gained a cult following among progressive rock and synth-pop artists, including Rick Wakeman of Yes and Paul Humphreys of Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. A February 1982 review in *Electronics & Music Maker* praised the instrument's ability to produce a "big orchestral sound" through powerful section blending and built-in effects like flanging, highlighting its suitability for emotional, classical-style performances, while noting minor drawbacks such as the lack of keyboard touch-sensitivity and limited waveform options.